GWR Class 143 withdrawals

[Ashley Hill]

There is a rumour that one could be used for route learning Okehampton. As it wouldn't involve any public the PRM restriction wouldn't matter and it would prevent robbing units off other services for that purpose.

 

[RPI]

Are they??? I think I suggested that about a few months back - they'd be handy as capacity busters to 4-car Class 150's on match days (that's if platforms along the Exeter to Exmouth line can just take a 4-car 150 + 2-car 143 combo)?

Also, useful for Exeter to Newton Abbot shuttles if in an emergency during wet weather too!

Looks like the Pacers live on - I thought that the GWR 143's looked tider / better than the Northern ones.

Cant run more than a 4 car to Exmouth without doing local door only at practically every stop

 

[Clarence Yard]

There is a rumour that one could be used for route learning Okehampton. As it wouldn't involve any public the PRM restriction wouldn't matter and it would prevent robbing units off other services for that purpose.

Not needed. It’s someone trying to keep one when it isn’t really required and they have been told. GWR isn’t keeping any.

 

[7 Ingleborough]

Yes, Saturday was the last day and I have seen that a couple of them have been de-branded now.

We have just shipped down some components to get 617 and 618 'fettled up' for service. 619 has also been de-branded but is shown as ready for service if required, albeit at SPM. 612 was split this afternoon ready for the haulier to take away, but was still waiting when I left this evening. (Was due at 1400).
603 destined for preservation received a new #1 wheelset just 48 hours before withdrawal as it received red wheel damage just hours earlier. We were expecting it at SPM today. I don't know if it arrived.
611 has heavily stripped cabs, it is being put between 620 and 621 and all three are being scrapped at Sims making the journey on the 16th or 17th December.

 

[RPI]

Almost a little bit sad 621 going for scrap so soon, was the last one I worked! But in the same breath I'm not sad to see the back of them!

 

[fgwrich]

I quite liked GWR's pacers. Exeter seems to have maintained them well, from a passenger's perspective at least. They always appeared clean with everything (lights, toilets etc) working when I used them. I used one between Westbury and Taunton a couple of years ago on the previous Fridays only service - that was an experience, it was bouncing around a lot! Another highlight was on the Tarka line between Portsmouth Arms and Umberleigh before part of the track was renewed - it'd throw everyone around the carriage a fair bit! The GWR green actually ended up suiting the 143s quite well (in my opinion) and made them look quite smart externally. The internal refreshes in a few of the units also helped to smarten them up for their last couple of years. I always quite liked the Ruth Mitchell safety announcements that play every so often, but that's just me. I'd imagine they get annoying to crew after a while!

I would also say they are in a far better internal condition than the 166s which have turned up over the weekend. Somehow, the 143 interior & FGW Refurbishment of these units always seemed timeless, and thanks to the care and attention lavished upon them by Exeter TMD, always looked fresh. I think it's fair to say that the Great Western 143's were certainly the roses amongst the Pacer Fleet.

 

[Anonymous10]

I would also say they are in a far better internal condition than the 166s which have turned up over the weekend. Somehow, the 143 interior & FGW Refurbishment of these units always seemed timeless, and thanks to the care and attention lavished upon them by Exeter TMD, always looked fresh. I think it's fare to say that the Great Western 143's were certainly the roses amongst the Pacer Fleet.

agreed tfw ones look filthy inside and out most trains look like they are never cleaned

 

[JonathanH]

Do the seat covers get kept for use in 150s (given the commonality) or does it all go off to the scrap merchant?

 

[Wyrleybart]

Not done a TfW and sent some out today then?!

Yesterday (Monday) Every train on the Rhymney line until 1830ish was a 142 or a 143 coupled to a 150 or 153.

 

[D2007wsm]

Do the seat covers get kept for use in 150s (given the commonality) or does it all go off to the scrap merchant?

They would fit the 150s, but wouldn’t they be the wrong moquette for most of the 150s?

 

[Parallel]

Cant run more than a 4 car to Exmouth without doing local door only at practically every stop

After the Exeter stations, I guess the only platforms long enough for a 6 carriage train would be Exmouth itself and Polsloe Bridge

They would fit the 150s, but wouldn’t they be the wrong moquette for most of the 150s?

The FGW liveried ones could be used in 150219/238/232 but the GWR refreshed ones are missing the green moquette where your head rests so probably wouldn’t be much use.

 

[7 Ingleborough]

Do the seat covers get kept for use in 150s (given the commonality) or does it all go off to the scrap merchant?

The GWR pattern seat covers in 617, 618 and 619 were to be removed for use on 150s. Don't think they are too worried about the blue covers as the blue 150s are to be 'GWRised'.

 

[northernbelle]

The GWR pattern seat covers in 617, 618 and 619 were to be removed for use on 150s. Don't think they are too worried about the blue covers as the blue 150s are to be 'GWRised'.

Hopefully only as a last resort - the covers on the 143s are different to those on the 150s, missing the green top.

 

[RPI]

After the Exeter stations, I guess the only platforms long enough for a 6 carriage train would be Exmouth itself and Polsloe Bridge

The FGW liveried ones could be used in 150219/238/232 but the GWR refreshed ones are missing the green moquette where your head rests so probably wouldn’t be much use.

I dont even think Exmouth would take six, would be tight. Topsham and Polsloe Bridge probably the only two platforms long enough

 

[Class172]

The sectional appendix (at least the version I'm looking at) lists the following lengths:

Polsloe Bridge - 184m
Digby & Sowton - 109m
Newcourt - 124m
Topsham - 138m (Down); 123m (Up)
Exton - 128m
Lympstone Commando - 64m
Lympstone Village - 90m
Exmouth - 119m

Polsloe Bridge the clear outlier there, I wonder if there's any historical reason it's so long.

 

[RPI]

A lot of Polsloe Bridge is now fenced off though

 

[Amlag]

143617 coupled to ?143618 noted 1100 today at St D depot with engines idling and lights on stabled on the sdg beside the back of the new depot and 143620 likewise with engines running and lights on in main depot in former steam shed.

 

[Apedlar12]

143617 coupled to ?143618 noted 1100 today at St D depot with engines idling and lights on stabled on the sdg beside the back of the new depot and 143620 likewise with engines running and lights on in main depot in former steam shed.

Path showing for tomorrow from Exeter TMD to Landore so I suspect this will be 143611, 143620 & 143621:

Realtime Trains - 5Z40 1225 Exeter St Davids Fp to Landore T.M.D.

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[PHILIPE]

Path showing for tomorrow from Exeter TMD to Landore so I suspect this will be 143611, 143620 & 143621:

Realtime Trains - 5Z40 1225 Exeter St Davids Fp to Landore T.M.D.

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Will be held at Landore for a month and then on to Sims the Scrappy at Newport

 

[Anonymous10]

Will be held at Landore for a month and then on to Sims the Scrappy at Newport

one wonders if tfw may loot them for spares before scrapping if possible as 143s looking likely to stay into next year

 

[43172]

one wonders if tfw may loot them for spares before scrapping if possible as 143s looking likely to stay into next year

I guess that would be the reason, but not fully sure. If that is the case, is there any reason why they are not heading to Cardiff Canton instead of Landore?

 

[7 Ingleborough]

611 already heavily stripped, many cab controls missing for a start. The Landore decision was sensible since there also components on them useful for 15x units also, plus I'm told Sims is pretty full at present.
619 still at SPM. 612 is in Andrew Goodmans Yard at Wishaw. 603, 617, 618 still to leave Exeter. 603 will come to SPM for road transport to join 612.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Dec 2020 ==

one wonders if tfw may loot them for spares before scrapping if possible as 143s looking likely to stay into next year

Porterbrook own them. Their decision.

 

[Anonymous10]

611 already heavily stripped, many cab controls missing for a start. The Landore decision was sensible since there also components on them useful for 15x units also, plus I'm told Sims is pretty full at present.
619 still at SPM. 612 is in Andrew Goodmans Yard at Wishaw. 603, 617, 618 still to leave Exeter. 603 will come to SPM for road transport to join 612.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Dec 2020 ==


Porterbrook own them. Their decision.

i think some tfw ones are porterbrook so possible

I guess that would be the reason, but not fully sure. If that is the case, is there any reason why they are not heading to Cardiff Canton instead of Landore?

tfw regularly send units to landore for storage/maintenance as canton is usually busy to my knowledge

 

[superalbs]

An unbranded 143603 looking very sad by Exeter St Davids earlier today:

 

[7 Ingleborough]

An unbranded 143603 looking very sad by Exeter St Davids earlier today:
View attachment 87253

603 has no reason to look sad. It's going into preservation and the bonus for the new owners was 55669 having to get a new wheelset fitted just two days before withdrawal.

 

[Apedlar12]

603 has no reason to look sad. It's going into preservation and the bonus for the new owners was 55669 having to get a new wheelset fitted just two days before withdrawal.

Any idea what will happen to 143617 and 143618 in the new year when they can no longer be used at all?

 

[IamTrainsYT]

Any idea what will happen to 143617 and 143618 in the new year when they can no longer be used at all?

They can still be used on ECS... simms is likely

 

[Clarence Yard]

They will probably sit (SPM has been mentioned) until they are sold.

 

[RPI]

They will probably sit (SPM has been mentioned) until they are sold.

Hope 618 gets saved, was my first boys first ever train ride on that, Starcross to Exeter St Davids, only reason I know the number is that I took a pic of it arriving in front of the pushchair on the platform lol

 

[Jim]

Little birdie tells me there may be one out in traffic tomorrow